Crystal Palace have 10 games to save their season and remain in the Premier League next term.
Roy Hodgson has returned to Selhurst Park until the end of the campaign and will look to steer the Eagles to safety.
He takes over from Patrick Vieira, who was sacked by Palace last week after a 12-match winless run.
The Eagles are yet to win in 2023 and have lost their last three games in a row.
Even more worryingly, Palace have gone three successive games without a shot on target.
The Eagles currently sit 12th in the Premier League table, but they’re just three points above the relegation zone.
‘Where is the direction?’
Vieira’s dismissal and Hodgson’s appointment have been met by a mixed reaction.
Paul Merson, writing in the Daily Star, has criticised Steve Parish’s decision.
However, he still thinks Palace have enough to survive in the Premier League this term.
“I thought the sacking of Patrick Vieira was a joke in all honesty,” wrote Merson.
“Yes, Crystal Palace were winless in 11 matches.
“But they were constantly playing teams above them and they were never heavily thrashed.
“Man City only beat them because of a penalty, it’s fine margins.
“Now they’re playing bottom-half teams and Roy Hodgson has come back in – I just find it clueless.
“Where is the direction? You would like to think as supposedly knowledgeable football people that Vieira would have been given the benefit of the doubt by the Palace board.
“I like Roy, he’s a lovely bloke and I think Palace will have enough to survive.
“But it’s just mind-blowing how they’ve made this change in my opinion. I’m really disappointed.
“Their survival hopes now hinge on how Vieira left this group of players.
“If the squad were still onboard, I think there could be consequences.
“If they needed change and were ready to welcome new ideas, perhaps it will be vindicated come the end of the season.”
Tough decision
Although it’s a shame Palace sacked Vieira, you can understand why the club board made the decision.
The Eagles had been struggling for months and the last few games before the international break were particularly disappointing.
Everyone wanted Vieira to succeed at Selhurst Park but with Palace seemingly freefalling towards the drop, Parish felt he had to act.
And while Hodgson’s return to Selhurst Park has been met with some criticism, he’s only there until the end of the season.
Hodgson knows Palace inside out and knows what it takes to pick a club up by the scruff of its neck and pull it to safety.
The Eagles certainly have a squad good enough to survive the drop, it’s just about getting the best out of them.
Hodgson is well-placed to guide his charges through the next 10 cup finals.
Then, at the end of the season, if Palace stay up, then they can look at a good long-term appointment.
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